The Most Pressing Questions About the Ottawa Shooting
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Lars Hagberg/AFP/Getty Images(OTTAWA, Ontario) — Authorities in Canada are trying to understand what motivated a gunman to kill a soldier in the country’s capital Wednesday, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling the shooting the country’s second “terrorist” attack this week.
“Let there be no misunderstanding. We will not be intimidated. Canada will never be intimidated,” Harper said Wednesday in a televised address after a gunman fatally shot a soldier standing guard at Ottawa’s war memorial. The victim was identified as Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, 24.
Following the shooting — which was reported at 9:52 a.m. Wednesday — the suspect charged Parliament but was shot to death by ceremonial sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers, 58, authorities said.
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The gunman was identified as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, a 32-year-old Canadian national who had recently converted to Islam, ABC News has learned.
At this point, authorities are still gathering details about the gunman, Harper said.
“In the days to come, we will learn about the terrorist and any accomplices he may have had,” Harper said.
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Canada had already raised its national terrorism alert level following an incident Monday in which a Canadian soldier was killed in a hit-and-run by a man suspected to have been a radicalized jihadist.
Ottawa police first learned of Wednesday’s attacks after receiving multiple 911 calls at 9:52 a.m. about a shooting at the National War Memorial. Gunfire was later reported inside the parliament building, less than 400 yards away. The parliament building was put into lockdown as government officials hid in their offices while police searched the sprawling building.
Meanwhile, President Obama condemned the shootings as “outrageous,” and called for vigilance.
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa was put under lockdown Wednesday, and officials stepped up security at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Harper promised Canadians that by working with the country’s allies to fight terrorism and redoubling their efforts, Canada will remain safe.
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